Model Show success at Fleet Air Arm Museum

A MODEL of HMS Hermes which had taken model-maker Rex Hunt over five years to build was one of the star attractions yesterday at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at RNAS Yeovilton.

Rex built the model in homage to those who lost their lives during the Falklands War of 1982 in which aircraft carrier HMS Hermes was a key part of the British Task Force.

The model shows the carrier as she was in 1982 complete with on-board Sea Harriers and Sea King helicopters which raised from the flight deck accompanied by a recording of their engines warming up.

PHOTOS: Model-maker Rex Hunt (above) with his superb model (right) of HMS Hermes at the time of the Falklands War in 1982.

Rex said that he spent most evenings and weekends building the model.

‘’It certainly kept me out of mischief for five years,’’ he joked with the Yeovil Press.’’And it meant my wife always knew where I was!’’

But, on a more serious note, he said he hoped the model brought back memories for those who served on her during the Falklands.

‘’The reaction I get from those who served on her is what makes it so special for me,’’ he said. ‘’HMS Hermes was their home for a while and they’ve got some great memories.’’

He takes the model around to shows across the country and has so far raised more than £1,000 for the Help for Heroes charity.

The Model Show at the FleetAirArmMuseum, now in its 17th year, is the biggest of its kind in the South West and attracts around 2,000 visitors.

More than 120 traders and clubs exhibited everything from model aircraft, boats, figures, tanks and dioramas.

Among those exhibiting were members of the Portsmouth Model Boat Display Team.

Club member Graham Beech had his own model tank-inspired display in honour of the Second World War movie, Kelly’s Heroes, starring Clint Eastwood, Donald Sutherland and Tele Savalas.

‘’I try and watch the film every Saturday morning when the wife goes off to work,’’ he said.

For more photos from the Model Show – click on the link below.

http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2013/02/10/model-show-at-fleet-air-arm-museum-feb-9-2013/ .

For more photos specific to Rex Hunt’s model of HMS Hermes – click on the link below.

http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2013/02/10/hms-hermes-at-fleet-air-arm-museum-feb-9-2013/ .

PHOTO: Graham Beech (above) with his display inspired by the Second World War movie Kelly's Heroes.

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